filmwill

Wondering the best way to get our visas for our trip in Nov. Have lots of time, so it would seem sending our passports to the consulate is our best option...probably would be easier to send to SF rather than DC (since we live in LA.)

How does one get started? Do I go to the DC or SF website to do this? Or do I call the embassy/consulate in SF?

What can I expect to spend per person? I surfed around the SF site and it showed a link that was about US$100 per person. Is that right?

Thanks again!

Kathie

The forms to fill out are online, print them and fill them out. Use the SF Consulate website, and send your apps to SF. You have to call the consulate to find the current price. When I last did it, it was $65 for a single entry visa. Note that you have to fill in a date when you are going to enter VN. You cannot enter before that date!

Elainee

We went online. Filled out the online form, mailed it to DC office with money order (I think they would not take personal checks), and our passports. Got passports back with visa. But check the timelines. I do not remember but think it is a problem if you get the visa too far in advance.

mrwunrfl

I suggest that you start at the link below. Read the CIS for Vietnam and you will see links to the embassy's website and to the SF consulate's website.

I called the embassy to find out the fee. I followed the recommendation on the website and sent the application and pp and photos in a USPS Express Mail envelope. The webpage at the embassy asked for it to be sent that way. When I went to the post office I told the guy I wanted a return USPS Express Mail (as specified by the website) and the guy fixed me up.

I sent it from the L.A. area to the embassy and had my pp back in my hands with the new visa stamp in less than a week.

In the application, as Kathie mentioned, you specify your date of entry. The visa will be good for a month after that (mine was valid from Nov 4 until Dec 4.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p.../cis_1060.html

mrwunrfl

The visa app asks for the "name and address of your contact in Vietnam". I had been in contact with a travel agent in Saigon and used that company's name and address. I ended up not using their services at all. Next time, if there is one, I would probably put the name and address of Handspan, the travel company in Hanoi. Or maybe the name and address of the hotel on my first night.

Bisbee

You can put the name of any hotel/travel agency/friend in VN. They won't check.

greenvietnam

It's not necessary for make your visa entry vietnam too long before. I think before your trip about 1month, apply your pp to pick up visa.

rabidstoat

I never could get ahold of either SF or DC consulate through the phone.

I ended up filling out the forms, and got two money orders (forget the amounts, found them on another web site somewhere, it was $65 total), sent it off with my passport, and crossed my fingers. I was in Atlanta, but sent it to the SF consulate as that's where the person who told me the fees sent theirs.

Everything went fine. I used USPS Express mail both ways, got it back in under a week if I recall correctly. Very fast (though I wouldn't rely on the speed, it was just a nice bonus).

mrwunrfl

I had trouble calling them also. The number for the visa section never answered. My solution was to call another number on their website where I got to talk to a live person who then transferred me to another live person.

MissMag

We had the same questions when applying for the visa to Vietnam.

We found it most helpful to go the Vietnam Embassy website (http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/co...ces/visa_info/) and click on the "Contact the Visa Section" link. They respond quite promptly with detailed and up to date information on the visa process, including the fee structure and how to complete the application.

Good luck and enjoy your trip.

filmwill

Thanks for the advice, everyone! So I spoke with someone in DC and someone in SF. Think we're going to end up using the DC embassy since the people (both that I spoke with) in SF were terribly rude. Actually, amazingly rude. Thankfully they're not goodwill ambassadors for their country.

It's a bit more expensive to go through DC ($65 vs. $45 in SF) but you only need 1 picture (as opposed to 2 in SF) and since they were so helpful at the DC embassy, I figured it's worth the extra $20 to avoid dealing with such nasty people again.

Just thought it was interesting that each embassy/consulate has different visa requirements and fee schedules...should anyone face the same dilemma on which to use in the future.

Thanks again the suggestions!

VietnamVacations

Hello
You can get Vietnam visa upon arrival in Hanoi or Hochiminh city.You have to show Visa approval to check-in on plane.
cheers

Canders

A few days ago I sent my application and $65 to the Vietnam Embassy in Washington, D.C. for a VISA (for a less than 30 day visit). The Embassy called me today, left a message on my answering machine saying that their single entry fee for 30 days or less is not $65, it is $130 per person. I've tried to call them back several times but nobody answers at any of the phone numbers listed on the Embassy website. So far I've only gotten a recording that says they're busy, please call back. Does anybody have an update on VISA cost?

cruisinred

If the price is in fact now $130 via the embassy in DC, I would seriously consider using the visa service of Vietnamstay.com http://www.vietnamstay.com/service/

The total cost for visa on arrival arranged through them in advance is $53. You receive an approval fax or email from them, which you show at the airport to pick-up your visa. Very easy process...I much preferred this than sending my passport off in the mail. I had my visa approval letter from Vietnamstay in less than 24 hours.

Canders

I finally talked to the Vietnam Embassy in Washington, D.C. and they did verify that the VISA is now $130. That's a LOT! She (the lady answering phone at VN Embassy) would not give me an answer as to why it was recently $65 now it's $130 pp. Argh! Any thoughts? Thanks for the suggestion of Vietnamstay.com, but I'm really hoping to avoid a tour company, if possible.

cruisinred

Canders-

You can just arrange use Vietnamstay for the visa and nothing else...if that is your aversion to a tour company. Really, it was a very simple process via fax and email, completed in about a day, all without putting my passport in the mail.

Canders

Yes, I had a jolly hard time putting our pp in the mail. So many things can go wrong by accident, not to mention corruption (and I'm NOT saying VN Embassy is corrupt) Things get lost in the US postal every day. Besides, it's simply crazy to let your pp out of your sight for any reason. I've always hated leaving our pp at the front desk when traveling overseas. Scares me. (shiver)

Anyway, I've emailed Vietnamstay.com Thanks.

Bisbee

$130! That's terrible. I only pay $100 for a 6 month multiple entry visa locally. Vietnam Stay is the way to go.

imwandering

Wow, I just got my visa back on Friday from the embassy in DC (took about 1 week) and it was definitely $65. The multiple entry visa was offered to me for $130 so maybe they are doing away with the single entry visas now?

I had no luck reaching them by phone or email when I was putting my paperwork together, but luckily I live nearby and just stopped in to ask. Guess it is definitely $130 now though.

btw- If you live near a CVS pharmacy you can get 6 passport photos for $8.99. One for the visa and a few to take on your travels as back-up.

Canders

Well, I just got off the phone with VN Embassy. This time I got a gentleman that I could understand and he explained that a single entry VISA to Vietnam is $65, good for 30 days. I'm only going to be there 18 days but that still requires a 30 day VISA. (Actually only 10 days, other days are outside of VN) He went on to explain that if you leave Vietnam to visit other countries like Cambodia or Thailand and want to re-enter Vietnam, it requires the $130 p-person VISA.

imwandering, you must gonna be staying your whole trip within VN (?)

Hope this clears this matter up and helps others understand Embassy VISA. (I wish I would have went through Vietnamstay.com to begin with)